Little Tokyo beauty haul + review

Earlier this month I visited Los Angeles for the second time and spent an afternoon exploring Little Tokyo. In between various boba and sushi spots were quite a few Asian beauty stores that stocked their shelves with tons of different products.

As a beauty junkie this was super exciting for me, so I went a little crazy while I was there–I’d never seen so many lip stains or sheet masks in one place in my life!

First, I stopped in TONYMOLY to find the Get It Tint Water Bar, a moisturizing lip stain, in a fun blood orange color–I’d been eyeing it ever since fellow Glossier Rep Amy Serrano raved about it in a YouTube video.

This stain has some serious staying power; plus, its instant cooling effect makes it the perfect option for summertime. With a little of Glossier‘s Balm Dotcom, it stays looking fresh–not flakey!–throughout the day or night.

I also picked up a Natural Green Hand Cream with avocado. All my life I’ve had such a hard time finding a hand cream that does its job without making my skin feel sticky or dirty, and this one definitely does the trick! Avocado is known for its anti-aging properties, so I’m hoping over time this cream keeps my hands looking and feeling baby-soft.

At a store called Make Asobi, I bought my first bottle of the cult favorite micellar water from Bioderma. I opted for the one designed for combination and oily skin, called Sébium, as my skin tends to be on the oily side.

The first time I used this product, I instantly felt a difference! I’ve been using Pacifica’s micellar water since I discovered it in November, and although I love it, nothing can compare to Bioderma’s.

Both brands offer an instant, rinse-free and mess-free cleanse that is gentle on skin. But, Bioderma’s micellar water works its magic much deeper into the pores in my opinion, leaving my face feeling much freer of impurities while using less product.

(Side note: While in LA, I also used one of my friend’s Sensibio H2O wipes to remove my makeup one night before bed, and it left my skin feeling cleaner and softer than ever before. Unlike Simple’s micellar wipes, Bioderma’s are saturated with product. I will definitely be ordering them online soon; I’ll need to re-up on the micellar water, anyway.)

It’s no secret that traveling wreaks havoc on the skin, so I stocked up on some sheet masks while I was there, too–this store had so many different options! I chose five from a brand called Pure Smile (including one with snail essence!), and they definitely delivered.

Soaked with collagen and hyaluronic acid, these masks restore moisture and elasticity stripped from the skin during travel, after a day in the sun or the morning after a night out. And for about $2 a pop, they’re something every gal should keep on-hand at all times. (Plus, the colorful Art Masks are just so fun; it’s like wearing a Snapchat filter IRL.)